High Body Temperature Boosts Immunity Against Viral Infections

Researchers have uncovered the correlation between elevated body temperature and heightened viral resistance (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
High body temperature increases gut microbiota-dependent host resistance to influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection

Go to source). Clinical evidence suggests that elderly individuals are at a higher risk of contracting viral infections. Quite //notably, the older people also have lower mean body temperatures. However, the effects of increased body temperature on fighting viral infections remain largely unexplored. " Their study was published in Volume 14 Issue 3863 of Nature Communications in June 2023.

Impact of Temperature Exposure on Viral Infection Resistance

To conduct their experiments, the team used mice which were heat- or cold-exposed at 4°C, 22°C, or 36°C a week before influenza virus infection. After the viral infection was induced, the cold-exposed mice mostly died due to severe hypothermia, whereas the heat-exposed mice were highly resistant to the infection even at increasing doses of the virus. "High-heat-exposed mice raise their basal body temperature above 38°C, allowing them to produce more bile acids in a gut microbiota-dependent manner,” remarks Dr. Takeshi Ichinohe from the Division of Viral Infection, The University of Tokyo, Japan.

The authors speculated that signaling of deoxycholic acid (DCA) from the gut microbiota and its plasma membrane-bound receptor "Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5" (TGR5) increased host resistance to influenza virus infection by suppressing virus replication and neutrophil-dependent tissue damage.

While working on these experiments, the team noticed that mice infected with the influenza virus showed decreased body temperatures nearly four days after the onset of the infection, and they snuggled together to stay warm!

The team noticed similar results after switching the influenza virus with SARS-CoV-2 and the study results were also validated using a Syrian hamster model. Their experiments revealed that body temperature over 38°C could increase host resistance to influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 infections. Moreover, they also found that such increase in body temperature catalyzed key gut microbial reactions, which in turn, led to the production of secondary bile acids. These acids can modulate immune responses and safeguard the host against viral infections.

Dr. Ichinohe explains, “The DCA and its nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist protect Syrian hamsters from lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, certain bile acids are reduced in the plasma of COVID-19 patients who develop moderate I/II disease compared with the minor severity of illness group.”

The team then performed extensive analysis to gain insight into the precise mechanisms underlying the gut-metabolite-mediated host resistance to viral infections in heat-exposed rodents. Besides, they also established the role of secondary bile acids and bile acid receptors in mitigating viral infections.

“Our finding that reduction of certain bile acids in the plasma of patients with moderate I/II COVID-19 may provide insight into the variability in clinical disease manifestation in humans and enable approaches for mitigating COVID-19 outcomes,” concludes Dr. Ichinohe.

This suppresses virus replication and inflammatory responses that follow influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections.

A heartfelt appreciation to the Japanese researchers for placing their trust in their intuition and gut instincts!

Reference:

1. High body temperature increases gut microbiota-dependent host resistance to influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39569-0)

Source-Eurekalert